Monday, April 26, 2010

Bradford a good fit for Rams

For a young man who would grow up to become a St. Louis quarterback, SamBradford was born under a good sign.

Sam's date of birth was Nov. 8, 1987.

On that very Sunday afternoon, within the cookie-cutter confines of BuschStadium II, the old St. Louis football Cardinals pulled off the greatestfourth-quarter comeback in NFL history.

After three quarters, the Cardinals were seemingly down and out, trailing theTampa Bay Buccaneers 28-3. But quarterback Neil Lomax threw a touchdown pass totight end Rob Awalt, linebacker Niko Noga returned a fumble for a touchdown,and Lomax connected with wide receiver J.T. Smith for late TD passes of 11 and17 yards. Amazingly, the Cardinals prevailed 31-28.

"A miracle," Smith said after the game.

And 500 miles away in Oklahoma City, a child was born

OK, I'm getting carried away.

However, it really was Bradford's birthday, and the Cardinals really did erasea 25-point deficit in 12 minutes.

I'm just saying.

But we can agree that Bradford is the so-called face of the franchise now. No disrespect to running back Steven Jackson, who is the force of the franchise.The Rams' best player. But SJ39 has been around since 2004, and the Rams are6-42 over the last three seasons. So the No. 1 overall draft pick instantlybecomes the symbol of a new era, a symbol of hope.

The early returns are encouraging for the Rams, who fielded hundreds of phonecalls inquiring about season tickets in the first 48 hours after Bradford wasselected No. 1 overall. Friday night, the Rams carted Bradford to a VIPreception for sponsors and suite holders at Grant's Farm. There, Bradfordreceived an enthusiastic greeting as he briefly spoke to a crowd of 350.

It was a sign that the Rams plan to market Bradford to pump up interest andticket sales. Which is a smart plan. But Rams chief operating officer KevinDemoff says Bradford is just one part of a wider marketing strategy that willfeature Jackson and several of the team's emerging stars including JamesLaurinaitis, Jason Smith, Chris Long, Donnie Avery, etc.

"That said, there's genuine excitement in the community over the Bradfordpick," Demoff said. "We hope it provides the kind of energy we can build on. Aswe start a youth movement, this is the piece that helps tie it together."

Bradford is aware of his off-field value to a franchise that must replenish itscustomer base. But he won't lose sight of a more important priority.

"Obviously, I do understand that there are certain responsibilities that comewith that, but I'm a team guy," Bradford said. "I love being one of the guys,just love hanging out. I'm going to do everything I can to pull my fair shareof the load around here."

Bradford has an interesting personality. He isn't fiery. He doesn't make noise.He isn't showy. He doesn't go all "Oprah" and reveal his innermost thoughts.But Bradford has an understated sense of humor and is quick with a quip. Heprojects warmth. Unlike other recent Rams quarterbacks, Bradford has presence.

More than anything, Bradford has an earnest personal quality that should fit inSt. Louis. He is genuine. There is nothing pretentious about him. And Bradfordis a proud son of Big 12 country.

"I think St. Louis is a great place to live," Bradford said. "I love theMidwest."

Cha-ching! With that quote the Rams just sold 25 more season tickets.

Bradford will undoubtedly encounter demands for his attention and time outsideof football. But he's experienced in handling that as a Heisman Trophy winnerand the big man on campus at Oklahoma, where football rules. Still, Rams coachSteve Spagnuolo will monitor the situation.

"I get it. I understand the responsibilities on him," Spagnuolo said. "I'mgoing to be a little protective. But I'm not going to be overly protective,because that's the league. And the league expects those guys at that positionand who are drafted that high to do certain things. Sam needs to do that forthis organization.

"But the coach in me, the dad in me, is going to make sure he's not tooinundated with off-field things. If it's so much that the football goes on theback burner, we don't want that. We want football to be the most important thing.

"What's great is Sam is poised that way. I don't know that he really wantsthat. I don't think he's out there aiming for the limelight. I've reminded himthat when he's hit with a lot to just remember, 'You're here to be a goodteammate first, and to be a good player.' Unless you're a good player, youwon't be the face of anything. And I think Sam gets that."

Absolutely he does.

"Expectations are high, and I haven't done anything in St. Louis," Bradfordsaid. "I realize that until I get on the field and prove to people that Ideserve to be the No. 1 pick, there's going to be questions."

Bradford seems to be an unusually grounded and serious 22-year-old. Hegraduated from OU with a 3.89 grade-point average, completing a four-yearfinance program in a little more than three years. He watches sports. He playsgolf. He loves Italian food. He's active in the Fellowship of ChristianAthletes. And he knows who he is.

As reported by USA Today, a photographer from GQ magazine recently had a brilliant idea for a photo shoot at Bradford's place in Norman, Okla. The photographer noticed an outdoor Jacuzzi and suggested that Bradford invite someOU coeds over to pose with him. You know: hotshot QB, soon to become a multi-millionaire, surrounded by beautiful young women in a hot tub.

Bradford's response: "Not going to happen."

That's a good sign. Bradford already recognizes when he's about to be blitzed off the field. You may see Bradford's face on an enormous billboard, but don'tbe fooled. His head isn't really that big.